for that, the city will need help from the state and federal government. the election, following sandy, brought a renewed focus on bipartisanship and the need to invest in storm protection. but mayor fraim will be competing with other coastal areas to secure much needed federal dollars. >> there is a huge investment by the nation for its defense here and we are the only home for nuclear aircraft carriers on the entire atlantic coast. we are worth preserving for sure. it is something that is happening to us. we sense it. we know it. we have studied it. and now we are trying to prepare for it. >> reporter: with the cost of repairing the damage from sandy now totaling more than $50 billion for new york and new jersey alone, cities like norfolk are working hard to invest to protect themselves before the next big storm hits. >> woodruff: by the end of the week, the white house is expected to ask congress for an additional $50 billion to $60 billion to cover the cost of repairs from sandy's devastation. and online, you can watch our upcoming story about shellfis